Guatemala - It is very difficult no to lose your cool when the Press is harassing you, even if you happen to be the President of Guatemala. The recent return of ex-president Portillo generated a media storm in Guatemala including radio, TV, the written media and bloggers. The internet comment sections for reader of El Periódico and La Hora where overflowing with comments and heating up the servers.
Some people in the media launched accusations that Portillo came back now because he knew that Colum's government would protect him. They where implying that President Colom would use his power to influence the judicial system in Guatemala to favor a positive outcome for Portillo. It is called traffic of influence.
President Colom got very irritated at the Press and accused them of lying and malicious disinformation. He expressed the idea of suggesting a law that can be used to hold press members accountable for deliberate disinformation, lies or accusations without proof.
Now the Press got really upset with the President. Innumerable editorials, columns, articles, reader comments, radio talk shows, blogs and any other media outlets accused the President of wanting to limit freedom of expression. A mortal sin in the eyes of the Press and all its members.
We think that law is a bad idea. It just doesn't work that way.
There are other more important legislations that have to be passed, for example the reform of the law of political parties, a truly fundamental instrument to improve Guatemala's democracy.
We have seen battles between the Guatemalan media and Presidents in the past. Some of them are still going on. A good example is with Ex-President Alvaro Arzú, who is now mayor of Guatemala City.
Everybody can lose their cool and get angry at the Press, unless you are made of stone. We think that in the past President Colom managed the scandal of the stolen funds of the Guatemala Congress with extreme skill. He said: the responsible people will face justice. It is in the hands of the justice department. The Press respected his statements. In the case of Portillo exactly the same answer applies: The responsible people will face justice. It is in the hands of the justice department.
The President is a very busy man. He wants to do many things. Guatemala needs a lot of work to start to solve some problems. We know that picking a fight with the Press is a waste of energy and time. You never win anyway. There are more important things to do.
Photo Luis Echeverría
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Subscribe to this comment's feedIgnore GT media Colom, thats what I do....
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